Hospital bed



Sept. 8, 1959 L. c. T. DRISKILL 2,902,701

' HOSPITAL BED Filed Aug. 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNv ENToizI LUTHEQ C.T. Dzmsmup.

Sept. 8, 1959 1 c. T. DRISKILL' HOSPITAL BED s Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 9, 1957 Wv ATTOEMEYS United State 2,902,701 Patented Sept. 8, 1959 HOSPITAL BED Luther C. T. Driskill, Shreveport, La.

Application August 9, 1957, Serial No. 677,373

2 Claims. (Cl. -62) This invention relates to improvements in hospital beds, and, more specifically, the present invention pertains to a hospital bed having portions thereof adjustable relative to each other in order to obtain the optimum of comfort for a patient occupying the same.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a hospital bed having adjustable means incorporated therein especially designed to assist doctors and nurses in turning patients suffering from third degree burns.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hospital bed especially adapted for easing the pain of convalescing paralytic patients.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hospital bed with adjustable means for relieving the pain suffered by hemoplegics, obesities, orthopedics in casts, and bedridden elderly patients suffering from prolonged illnesses.

This invention also contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of a hospital bed with reclining surfaces which may be adjusted at various angles to accommodate a patient in different positions.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a hospital bed with the normally horizontally disposed reclining surface having adjustable means for elevating the torso supporting surface relative to the leg supporting surfaces.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hospital bed with adjustable means for pivoting the reclining surfaces thereof about the longitudinal axis of the bed, as a unit.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a bedpan support for a hospital bed to facilitate the use of and handling of this article with the greatest comfort to the patient and the minimum labor to the nurse or attendant.

Still further, and as another object of this invention, it is proposed to provide a hospital bed of the type described supra, which is non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable in use.

Other and further objects of this invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view, partly in crosssection, taken substantially upon the vertical plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal detailed cross-sectional view taken substantially upon the vertical plane of line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed crosssectional view taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 44 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the hospital bed illustrated in Figure 1, the view being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 5-5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed crosssectional view taken substantially upon the horizontal plane of line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed crosssectional view taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 7-7 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

As has been set forth above as one of the primary objects of this invention, the hospital bed herein described and illustrated has been especially designed for patients having third degree burns, the burns practically covering the entire body. As a general rule, and during the treatment of such patients it becomes necessary to turn the patients. This is generally accomplished by turning the patient in a sheet, a practice which requires not only patience but a high degree of caution and skill on the part of the nurses and doctors to prevent the patients skin from tearing. The care and cure of such patients is, for the most part, very tedious and must be carefully conducted, for their life is in the hands of the medical administrators.

At the risk of being somewhat redundant, the instant hospital bed has been especially designed for polio patients and paralytic patients. Persons suffering these illnesses experience excruciating pain when moved by draw sheets or by the hands of the attending doctors and nurses.

While some specific uses of this hospital bed have been set forth above, it will be understood that the same have been offered only as examples of the versatility of the invention, and in no way comprise limitations thereon.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates, in general, a hospital bed constructed in accordance with this invention, and includes a mattress especially constructed for the bed. The bed 10 is seen to comprise a substantially rectangular frame including an inverted substantially U-shaped head member 12 and having a pair of laterally spaced upright standards 14, 16 connected at their respective upper ends by means of a bight member 18. A crossbrace 20 extends between the standards 14, 16 and has the ends thereof rigidly secured thereto. A plurality of laterally spaced stringers 22 extend between and have their opposed respective ends rigidly secured to the bight member 18 and to the cross-brace 29. An angle iron 24 having right angularly disposed longitudinally extending side walls 26, 2%, extends between the standards 14?, 16 and the opposed ends of the side wall 26 are rigidly secured thereto adjacent the lower ends thereof. The lower ends of the standards 14, 16 are supported on wheels 3% caster mounted thereon at 32.

The bed frame includes a foot member 34 comprising an inverted L-shaped element having a leg portion 36 and an inwardly extending foot section 38 projecting laterally therefrom at right angles with respect thereto. The outer end of the foot section 38 is rigidly secured to the upper end of an arm 49 of a substantially U-shaped element 42. The lower end of the arm 415 is integrally connected to one end of a bight 44, the other end of the latter being integrally connected to the lower end of a second arm 46 which extends in laterally spaced and substantially parallel relation relative to the arm 40. The upper end of the arm 46 is rigidly connected to the outer end of a foot section 48 of an inverted and reversed L-shaped element having a leg portion 50. An angle iron 52 having right angularly disposed longitudinally extending side walls 54, 56 extends between the leg portions 36, 50 and the opposed ends of the side wall 54 are rigidly secured thereto 3 intermediate the ends thereof. The lower ends of the leg portions 36, 50 are supported on wheels 58 caster mounted at 60.

For a purpose to be made clear below, the arms 48, 46 have secured thereto the bights 62, 62 of a pair of channel-shaped guide members 64, 64' disposed in laterally spaced and confronting relation. The bights 62, 62' are integrally connected with a pair of vertically extending laterally spaced sides 66, 68 and 66', 68 respectively. The sides 66, 63 and 66, 68' slidably receive there-between the marginal edges of the opposed sides of a substantially rectangular metallic plate 7t having a handle member 72 at the upper end thereof.

The head member 12 is connected to the foot member 34 by means of a pair of longitudinally extending laterally spaced and substantially parallel side frame members 74, 76, each of which comprise an angle iron having right angularly disposed side walls 78, Sh and 82, 84, respectively.

A pair of journal boxes 86, 83 are fixedly secured to the horizontal side walls 28, 56, respectively. One end of the shaft 90 is journaled for rotation in the journal box 86 and the other end thereof projects through the journal box 88 and extends laterally to a point beyond the foot portion 34 for connection with a manually operable crank arm 92 having a laterally projecting handle 94 connected thereto.

The shaft 94 has formed thereon opposite hand external threads 96, 98 and has threaded thereon a pair of traveling nuts 1%, 182, respectively, the function of which will become more apparent below.

A pair of journal boxes 104, 186 are fixedly secured to the horizontal side walls 28, 56 respectively, in laterally spaced relation with respect to the journal boxes 86, 88. One end of a shaft 18-8 is journaled for rotation in the journal box 11.54 and the other end thereof projects through the journal box 1% and extends laterally to a point beyond the foot portion 34 for connection with a manually operable crank arm (not shown) similar to the crank arm $2 and having a laterally projecting handle (not shown) connected thereto, the handle being similar to the handle shown at 94.

The shaft 1% has formed thereon opposite hand external threads 110, 112 on which are threaded a pair of traveling nuts 114, 116, respectively, the function of which will be set forth in detail below.

A cross support 118 extends transversely between the sides 80, 84 of the side frame members 74, 76, respectively, and is fixedly secured thereto by bolts 12%. The cross support 118 has a centrally located downwardly bowed portion 122 and an integrally formed upright or vertical flange 124 projecting therefrom intermediate the ends thereof.

The flange 124 is centrally positioned relative to the side frame members 74, 76 and is apertured to rotatably receive therein one end of an elongated shaft 126 having opposite hand external threads 1255, 13-41. Traveling nuts 132, 134 are threaded on the threads 128, 130, respectively. The other end of the shaft 126 is rotatably journaled in a journal box 135 winch depends from the side wall 56 and is centrally located with respect to the journal boxes 88, 1136 and the shaft 126 projects outwardly to a point beyond the foot portion 34 for connection with crank means designated generally by reference numeral 137, the construction thereof being set forth in full below.

A second drive means for each of the shafts 88, 188 is provided, and since both are of identical construction, a description of one is a description of the other.

Reference is now made to Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7. In these figures it is seen that a boss 138 is fixedly secured to the side wall 84 by bolts 1 46. A shaft 142 extends through an opening 1 24 in the wall 78 and a bushing 146 carried by the boss 138 and the inner end of the shaft 142 is fixedly secured to a bevel gear 148. The bevel gear 148 meshes with a second bevel gear 15% disposed at 90 relative thereto. The shaft 108 extends through the gear 150 and the hub 152 thereof is fixedly secured to the shaft 108 by conventional means such as, for example, welding 154. The other end of the shaft 142 carries a diametrically extending pivot pin 156 slidably engaged in elongated substantially rectangular slots 158 (only one being shown) formed in a pair of laterally spaced and substantially parallel lugs 160, 162. The lugs 16%, 162 extend longitudinally from one end of a substantially hollow cylindrical hub 16*). The other endof the hub is fixedly secured, as by welding 166, to one end of a crank ann 168. The other end of the crank arm 168 is connected to one end of a conventional, laterally extending handle 17%. Figure 7 illustrates the hub 164, crank arm 168 and handle 171 in their respective inoperative positions and depending from the pin 156. To operate the shaft 142, the hub 164 is pivoted upwardly and telescoped over the outer end of the shaft, the other end of the slots 15% now engagin the pin 156. Now any rotation of the handle 171) will cause a force to be exerted on the pin 156 to effect rotation of the shaft 142.

Counterparts of the above described driving means illustrated in the drawings for driving the shaft 9% have been given the same reference numerals to which the reference letter A has been added. The driving means for the shaft 126 are identical to those described above and their identical reference numerals to which the reference letter B has been added.

A cross-shaft 1 2 extends transversely across the side frame members 74, 76 and is journaled for rotation in the side walls 78, 82 thereof. Means for rotating the cross-shaft is provided and is identical to the means described in the immediately preceding two paragraphs, and the corresponding elements thereof bear the same reference numerals to which, for the purpose of identification, has been added the reference letter The cross-shaft 172 has formed thereon threads of opposite hand 174, 176 on which are threaded traveling nuts 178, 5.8%).

Reference numeral 182 designates, in general, a substantially U-shaped frame having a bight 184 adjacent the end portion 12 and a pair of laterally spaced and substantially parallel arms 186, 188 connected to the ends thereof and projecting therefrom, substantially parallel to the side frame members 74, 76. The outer ends of the arms 186, 188 are hingedly connected at 190, 192 to one end of a pair of substantially rectangular extensions 194, 196, respectively, the other ends of the extensions slidably engage the substantially horizontal upper ends 198 of a pair of Z-shaped elements 200 having bights 21W. integrally connected with the substantially horizontal lower ends 204. The latter are fixedly secured to the side walls 78, 84 adjacent the foot portion 34.

Reference numeral 2% denotes a substantially rectangular flexible spring frame having longitudinally extending elements 208 traversed by similar elements 210. At spaced intervals the traversing elements 210 are secured to the arms 186, 188 by overlapping brackets 212 fixed to the arms 186, 188 by means of screws 214 (see Figure 6). Similar brackets (not shown) connect the longitudinally extending elements 208 to the bight 184. As is seen in the drawings, the spring frame 206 occupies substantially the same area as is defined by the U-shaped frame 182, and the inner end of the spring frame 286 is seen to terminate at a point adjacent the hinges 192. Two other spring frames 215, 216 are provided, one at each side of the bed 16. These are identical in construction and include the longitudinal elements 218 which are traversed by similar elements 220. The inner ends of the longitudinally extending elements 218 are looped at 222about the innermost one of the traversing elements 210 to form a pivotal connection therebetween, and the spring frames 215, 216 have portions thereof supported onextensions 194, 196 of;which the traversing elements 220 on the extensions 194, 196 are secured thereon by brackets 212 and screws 214 identical in construction with respect to the brackets and screws 212, 214.

Reference is now made to Figures 3 and 5. In these figures it is seen that a pair of laterally spaced substantially hollow tubular members 224, 226 are secured to the bight 184 in laterally spaced relation. The upper ends of a pair of hollow cylindrical tubular members 228, 230 are pivotally connected on pins 232, 234, respectively, the latter being secured within the tubular members 224, 226 by conventional means. The cylindrical members 228, 230 telescopically receive therein one end of a pair of push rods 236, 238, respectively. The other ends of the push rods are connected with and extend transversely through the traveling nuts 178, 180, respectively.

Hollow tubular elements 240, 242 are secured to the arms 186, 188 respectively. An elongated substantially U-shaped lever 244 is provided with a bight 246 from one end of which laterally projects an arm 248 Which is pivotally received within the tubular member 242. An arm 250 projects laterally from the other end of the bight 246 and extends transversely through the nut 116.

In a similar manner, an elongated substantially U- shaped lever 252 is provided with a bight 254 from one end of which laterally projects an arm 256 pivotally received within the tubular member 240. An arm 258 projects laterally away from the other end of the bight 254 and extends transversely through the traveling nut 102.

A third pair of hollow tubular members 260, 26 2 are fixedly secured to the extensions 194, 196, respectively, disposed adjacent to but spaced from the hinges 190, 192. A substantially U-shaped lever 264 having a bight 265 has a laterally projecting arm 268 pivotally received within the hollow tubular member 260, the bight 265 at its other end terminating in a laterally projecting arm 266 which is connected with the traveling nut 100. Similarly, one arm 272 of a substantially U-shaped lever 274, having a bight 276, is pivotally received within the tubular member 262. The other arm 278 is connected with the traveling nut 114.

At this point it is deemed expedient to note that all of the traveling nuts heretofore described are accentrically mounted on their respective shafts and that the above described connections between the traveling nuts and their associated levers are also pivotal connections.

From the foregoing portion of this specification it is now evident that the described structure is capable of several selective adjustments. For example, rotation of the cross-shaft 172 in one direction will cause the nuts 178, 180 to move toward each other. The tubular members 228, 230 then pivot upwardly to force the U- shaped member 182 and the spring frame 206 connected thereto to pivot upwardly about the hinges 190, 192 and the pivotal connections at 222.

Again, rotation of the shaft 90 in one direction will cause the U-shaped frame member 182 and the extensions 194, 196 to raise and pivot about the longitudinal axis of the bed in one direction. Note should be made at this point that as the pivotal movement occurs, the nuts 100, 102 will turn slightly on the shaft 90 to maintain parallelism between the arms 256, 258 and 266, 268 whereby no torque is developed in the bights 254 and 265. Also, it is here pointed out that the telescoped members 228, 236 and 230, 238 move relative to each other when this turning or pivotal movement is introduced.

On the other hand, rotation of the shaft 108 in one direction will cause the nuts 114, 116 to travel toward each other thereby pivoting the levers 244, 274 upwardly to raise the U-shaped frame member 182 and the extension 194 thus effecting a pivotal movement in the opposite direction about the longitudinal axis of the hospital bed 10.

It should also be clear that a combination of these movements can be obtained through the selective rotation of the shafts 90, 108 and 172.

Reference numeral 280 denotes, in general, a mattress having a substantially rectangular main body portion 282 from one end of which projects a pair of elongated substantially rectangular laterally spaced and substantially parallel leg portions 284, 286. An elongated substantially hollow rectangular elevator cage 288 having elongated laterally spaced and substantially rectangular side walls 290, 292 and longitudinally spaced substantially rectangular end walls 294, 296 interposed in the space between the leg portions 284, 286 and is fixedly secured thereto by means of L-shaped hooks 298 having one end thereof rigidly secured to the side walls 290, 292 at each lower corner of the cage 288, the other of their respective ends being inserted within the leg portions 284, 286 (see Figure 4). The end wall 296 has an opening 297 extending therethrough and a flat rectangular reinforcing member 299 is rigidly secured thereto adjacent the lower end thereof.

An elevator 300 comprising an elongated substantially rectangular plate 302 is disposed for reciprocation within the cage 288 and is provided with depending guide rollers 304 which engage the side and end walls 290, 292 and 294, 296, respectively, at the corners formed at their junction points.

The plate 302 has secured to the under side thereof a pair of longitudinally spaced hollow tubular members 306 which are pivotally connected by pins 308 to the upper ends, respectively, of a pair of elongated substantially hollow tubular cylindrical members 310, 312. Push rods 314, 316 are telescopically received within the tubular cylindrical members 310, 312, respectively, and have one of their ends pivotally connected to the traveling nuts 132, 134 which are also eccentrically threaded on the shaft 126.

Triangular gusset plates 318 are fixedly secured to the corners of the cage 288 to limit the vertical movement of the plate 302, and the upper side of the plate 302 is provided with a pad 320 having a cover sheet 322 extending thereacross.

The elevator plate 302 is adapted to be lowered from its position shown in Figure 3 after which the plate 70 is removed and a bedpan is then inserted through the opening 297 in the end wall 296, when the hospitalized patient requires such services. The shaft 126 is then rotated to elevate the plate 302 and the bedpan thereon to a point proximate the patients body.

If desired, a pair of cover members 324, 326 may be secured to the leg portions 284, 286 for extension across the elevator cage 288 and may be retained thereacross by a conventional snap fastener 328.

As is seen in the drawings, the main body portion 282 of the mattress 280 is superposed on the spring frame section 206 and the leg portions 284, 286 are supported on the spring sections 215, 216. Thus, operation of the shaft 172 will cause the main body portion 282 to tilt from the full line position of Figure 3 to that illustrated in the phantom lines, and the mattress 280, together with the elevator cage 288, the elevator plate 302 and the structure associated therewith may be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the bed 10 in the manner heretofore described. The telescoped members 310, 314 and 312, 316 taken together with their pivotal connection with the traveling nuts 132, 134 insure that the plate 302 will always be maintained substantially parallel to the extensions 194, 196.

Having described and illustrated in detail one of the embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hospital bed comprising head and foot portions having an elongated, substantially rectangular open rigid frame therebetween, a sectional mattress support mounted on said frame, said sectional support comprising a substantially U-shaped member including a bight from the ends of which project a pair of laterally spaced and substantially parallel arms, said arms having extensions pivotallyconnected thereto, a. substantially rectangular spring frame fixedly secured to said U-shapedmember, a pair of elongated substantially rectangular spring frames fixedly secured to each of said extensions, respectively, means for pivotally connecting one end of each of said pair of spring frames with the adjacent end of said first spring frame, means mounted on said rigid frame engaging said bight to effect a pivotal movement of said U-shaped member and its associated said first spring member relative to said extensions and their respective associated spring frames, said means comprising a cross-shaft extending transversely across said rigid frame and being rotatably secured thereon adjacent said head portion, said cross shaft having opposite hand threads formed thereon, a pair of traveling nuts eccentrically mounted on said cross shaft, two pair of telescoping members, means pivotally connecting one end of said pair of telescoped members to one of said traveling nuts, means pivotally connecting one end of the other of said pair of telescoped members to the other of said traveling nuts, means pivotally connecting the other ends of said pairs of telescoped members to said bight in crossed relation relative to each other, and means mounted on said rigid frame and engaging said arms and extensions adjacent said pivotal connection therebetween, said last named means being selectively adjustable to pivot said sectional support, as a unit, about the longitudinal axisof said bed, in either direction.

2 A hospital bed comprising head and foot portions having an open frame therebetween, a sectional mattress support mounted on said frame, said sectional support comprising a substantially U-shaped member including a bight from the ends of which project a pair of laterally spaced and substantially parallel arms, said arms having extensions pivotally connected thereto, a spring frame fixedly secured to said U-shaped member, a pair of spring frames fixedly secured to each of said extensions, respectively, means for pivotally connecting one end of each of said pair of spring frames with the adjacent end of said first spring frame, means mounted on said rigid frame engaging said bight to effective pivotal movement of' said U-shaped member and its associated said first spring member relative to said extensions and their respective associated spring frame, said means comprising a cross shaft extending transversely across said rigid frame and being rotatably secured thereon adjacent said head portion, said cross shaft having threads formed thereon, a pair of traveling nuts eccentrically mounted on said; cross shaft, two pair of telescoping members, means pivotally connecting one end of said pair of telescoped members to one of said traveling nuts, means pivotally connecting one end of the other of said pair of telescoped members to the other of said traveling nuts, and means pivotally connecting the other ends of said pairs of telescoped members to said bight in crossed relation relative to each other, and means mounted on said rigid frame and engaging said arm and extension adjacent said pivotal connection therebetween, said last named means being selectively adjustable to pivot said sectional support, as a unit, about the longitudinal axis of said bed, in either direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 211,705 Corduan Jan. 28, 1 879 357,688 Poolman et a1 Feb. 15, 1887 842,973 Preston Feb. 5, 1907 904,587 Wible Nov. 24, 1908 933,323 Mitchell Sept. 7, 1909 1,021,335 Robinson Mar. 26, 1912 1,866,397 Clewley July 5, 1932 2,215,636 Comper Sept. 24, 1940 2,407,892 Mehr Sept. 17, 1946 2,519,729 Alexander Aug. 22, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 488,529 Great Britain July 8, 1938 518,797 Great Britain Mar. 7, 1940 

